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1gokart 23.6K Views
Oct 23, 2026 8:00 AM

Apple Mac Studio Desktop (2026): M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD

$2,000

$2,500

20% off
+ Free Pickupat Micro Center
Get Deal at Micro Center

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Deal Details
Micro Center has Apple Mac Studio M5 Max Desktop Computer (2026, MHL64LL/A) for $1999.99. Free store pickup is available where stock permits.

Thanks to Community Member 1gokart for finding this deal.

Note: Availability may vary by location.

Specs:
  • Apple M5 Max 18-Core CPU
  • 36GB Unified RAM
  • 512GB SSD
  • Apple M5 Max Chip 32-Core GPU
  • WiFi 7 (802.11be) + Bluetooth 6.0
  • 480 Watt Power Supply
  • SDXC Card Reader
  • macOS
  • Ports:
    • Front/Top Panel
      • 2x USB 3.2 (Gen 2 Type-C)
    • Back Panel
      • 2x USB 3.2 (Gen 1 Type-A)
      • 4x Thunderbolt 5
      • 1x HDMI 2.1
      • 1x LAN RJ45 (10 GbE)
      • 1x 3.5mm Headphone

Editor's Notes

Written by johnny_miller | Staff
  • Our research indicates this offer is $299.01 lower (13% savings) than the next best price from a reputable merchant at the time of this post.
  • This price matches +304 Frontpage Deal from last month.

Original Post

Written by 1gokart
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Micro Center has Apple Mac Studio M5 Max Desktop Computer (2026, MHL64LL/A) for $1999.99. Free store pickup is available where stock permits.

Thanks to Community Member 1gokart for finding this deal.

Note: Availability may vary by location.

Specs:
  • Apple M5 Max 18-Core CPU
  • 36GB Unified RAM
  • 512GB SSD
  • Apple M5 Max Chip 32-Core GPU
  • WiFi 7 (802.11be) + Bluetooth 6.0
  • 480 Watt Power Supply
  • SDXC Card Reader
  • macOS
  • Ports:
    • Front/Top Panel
      • 2x USB 3.2 (Gen 2 Type-C)
    • Back Panel
      • 2x USB 3.2 (Gen 1 Type-A)
      • 4x Thunderbolt 5
      • 1x HDMI 2.1
      • 1x LAN RJ45 (10 GbE)
      • 1x 3.5mm Headphone

Editor's Notes

Written by johnny_miller | Staff
  • Our research indicates this offer is $299.01 lower (13% savings) than the next best price from a reputable merchant at the time of this post.
  • This price matches +304 Frontpage Deal from last month.

Original Post

Written by 1gokart

Community Voting

Deal Score
+77
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Why are you downvoting this deal?

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Top Comments

milkmandan
208Comments
26Reputation
this frontpage deal is back. should be upvoted again. also 48GB/1TB version is $400 off for $2999. not as good of a deal as the base ($500 off) but if you need the more ram, storage, gpu cores and the increased Memory bandwidth, its a solid deal

with large restocks at local MC, i would imagine this might be nearing the last time this might be discounted like this until next iteration
Go to Comment

Community Reviews

The Mac Studio M5 Max stands out as a compact, very fast desktop for creative work and local model tinkering, with Thunderbolt 5, 10 GbE, Wi Fi 7, and replaceable SSDs. The 36GB and 512GB base setup feels tight for software development and serious local AI, while the 48GB and 1TB step up is viewed as the better value for heavier workloads. For typical use it can feel overbuilt, but for Lightroom, raw photo handling, and a small high performance workstation, it lands as a strong fit.

  • Local AI developers running larger models, because 36GB is too tight for serious LLM work and the 48GB or higher configurations leave more usable headroom.

    PythonzM5RahulSmartMeal986RamesesThe2nd

  • Software developers compiling and testing on-device, because the faster chip and unified memory can speed workflows while the Studio handles local models well.

    Stevemax07nycyniknycynik

  • Photo editors working with large RAW files, because Lightroom runs much faster and the machine handles high-resolution RAW processing effortlessly.

    Stevemax07paolo80

  • Buyers who want a compact desktop with workstation-class performance, because it delivers strong speed in a small form factor.

    Matrix80Stevemax07

  • Serious local LLM builders, because 48GB can still be a bottleneck and some workflows need 96GB to 256GB for comfortable context and multiple agents.

    CleverHome408M5RahulSmartMeal986fintlewoodlewix

  • Developers who need lots of RAM for local coding and test runs, because 36GB can run out during tests and 512GB storage fills quickly.

    nycyniknycynik

  • Buyers who expect to expand memory or storage later, because the RAM and SSD are not upgradable after purchase.

    nycyniknycynik

  • General-purpose shoppers who only need everyday desktop work, because the configuration is overkill for most tasks while still falling short for demanding AI workloads.

    madcool

Common Questions (4)

AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago

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60 Comments

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Pro
Oct 24, 2026 7:10 PM
3.4K Comments
Joined Dec 2012
pmperry
Pro
Oct 24, 2026 7:10 PM
3.4K Comments
Quote from Thrifle View quoted comment :
SSD prices are coming down 8% from Sept to Oct in my research. Memory is still high
New PC sales have dropped 21% and they're expected to drop another 27% in the 4th quarter.
Oct 24, 2026 9:37 PM
1.3K Comments
Joined Sep 2011
RamesesThe2ndOct 24, 2026 9:37 PM
1.3K Comments
I don't think I can spend any more money on it at the moment. The price jump going from this 128 GB Max variant to base Ultra with 256 GB is basically double the money ($9499 + tax). I guess I will have to continue renting LLMs. Frown

Quote from M5Rahul View quoted comment :
Serious local LLMs ( fast prefills, context expansion caching, and high token count/sec et al ). I'd look at at least 256GB RAM.. 128 is the minimum basic, but better than folks pushing 64GB and expecting near frontier model outputs.
Oct 24, 2026 10:10 PM
195 Comments
Joined Aug 2011
Stevemax07Oct 24, 2026 10:10 PM
195 Comments
I'm not working LLMs like many of y'all, but I just bought one of these from BB (price matched) and this Studio with the M5 Max flies in comparsion to my old M5 Macbook Air.

This is an exciting machine!
Oct 25, 2026 12:16 AM
2 Comments
Joined Apr 2018
JohnS5439Oct 25, 2026 12:16 AM
2 Comments
M5 max is a beast
Oct 25, 2026 4:18 AM
752 Comments
Joined Feb 2010
vandytomOct 25, 2026 4:18 AM
752 Comments
For this price, I'd rather get the iPhone Duo.
4
Oct 25, 2026 5:24 AM
100 Comments
Joined Aug 2017
nycynikOct 25, 2026 5:24 AM
100 Comments
I own this computer - it was a mistake. I should have gotten at least 1 TB and at least 64 GB of RAM. I regret it daily.

I do contemplate selling this thing and getting something newer, but as everyone has said, the skyrocketing prices are nuts. I think it was 1k for ram upgrade alone in the store.
Oct 25, 2026 11:45 AM
40 Comments
Joined Feb 2011
paolo80Oct 25, 2026 11:45 AM
40 Comments
Quote from nycynik View quoted comment :
I own this computer - it was a mistake. I should have gotten at least 1 TB and at least 64 GB of RAM. I regret it daily.I do contemplate selling this thing and getting something newer, but as everyone has said, the skyrocketing prices are nuts. I think it was 1k for ram upgrade alone in the store.
What do you use it for?

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Oct 25, 2026 8:42 PM
7.5K Comments
Joined Jan 2009
MrDeaalsOct 25, 2026 8:42 PM
7.5K Comments
Quote from nycynik View quoted comment :
I own this computer - it was a mistake. I should have gotten at least 1 TB and at least 64 GB of RAM. I regret it daily.

I do contemplate selling this thing and getting something newer, but as everyone has said, the skyrocketing prices are nuts. I think it was 1k for ram upgrade alone in the store.
why was it a mistake ? i'm planning to buy a 48GB machine to run some local models but this seems like a good deal based on current market conditions. just trying to understand whats wrong with the machine and for which use case ?
Oct 25, 2026 9:49 PM
100 Comments
Joined Aug 2017
nycynikOct 25, 2026 9:49 PM
100 Comments
Quote from paolo80 View quoted comment :
What do you use it for?
I'm a software developer, I use it for coding. It's not enough ram for [VS Code + Docker + terminal + Chrome + Slack + e2e tests]. Pretty much every time I run tests, I have to kill something after running out of ram.

The 500GB is also not enough. I have an external drive because you have to, but even with that it's constantly low on disk space, and I'm constantly trying to move more things onto the external. I've thought about trying to boot from an external and get a Thunderbolt drive, but Thunderbolt 5 is crazy expensive, and 4 is not as fast as internal, so it's just more sadness. Frown
Oct 25, 2026 9:50 PM
100 Comments
Joined Aug 2017
nycynikOct 25, 2026 9:50 PM
100 Comments
Quote from MrDeaals View quoted comment :
why was it a mistake ? i'm planning to buy a 48GB machine to run some local models but this seems like a good deal based on current market conditions. just trying to understand whats wrong with the machine and for which use case ?
it is a good deal, and I love that I can run local models. I just wish I had purchased more ram and disk space, since they are not upgradable.
Yesterday 1:57 PM
110 Comments
Joined Nov 2007
madcoolYesterday 1:57 PM
110 Comments
Aside from the sale it seems this is not the ideal configuration for most people. It's insufficient for a lot of LLM work but overkill for most everything else. What am I missing?
Yesterday 3:19 PM
40 Comments
Joined Feb 2011
paolo80Yesterday 3:19 PM
40 Comments
Quote from madcool View quoted comment :
Aside from the sale it seems this is not the ideal configuration for most people. It's insufficient for a lot of LLM work but overkill for most everything else. What am I missing?
I bought it yesterday. Added an external drive. Lightroom flies now and it handles R5II raw files effortlessly. I could have gotten an m6 mini with upgraded ram and disk tomatch the Studio and save 300 bucks. But I think it's worth it
Yesterday 6:24 PM
228 Comments
Joined Jan 2006
load97Yesterday 6:24 PM
228 Comments
Quote from madcool View quoted comment :
Aside from the sale it seems this is not the ideal configuration for most people. It's insufficient for a lot of LLM work but overkill for most everything else. What am I missing?
Missing Handbrake.fr. Among other programs.
Today 12:34 AM
88 Comments
Joined Jan 2018
George3914Today 12:34 AM
88 Comments
Quote from nycynik View quoted comment :
I'm a software developer, I use it for coding. It's not enough ram for [VS Code + Docker + terminal + Chrome + Slack + e2e tests]. Pretty much every time I run tests, I have to kill something after running out of ram.

The 500GB is also not enough. I have an external drive because you have to, but even with that it's constantly low on disk space, and I'm constantly trying to move more things onto the external. I've thought about trying to boot from an external and get a Thunderbolt drive, but Thunderbolt 5 is crazy expensive, and 4 is not as fast as internal, so it's just more sadness. Frown
Are you running LLMs? What models are you running for coding?

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Today 2:22 AM
3.2K Comments
Joined Dec 2012
fuzzyballzToday 2:22 AM
3.2K Comments
The real question is does this Mac bend?

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